The NFL still wants to interview Peyton Manning about allegations of performance-enhancing drug use, and it would be a shock if the retired star refuses to cooperate.

Even though he hung up his spikes this spring after a glittering, 17-season career, Manning still needs to be in the league’s good graces if — as has been speculated — he wants to be a team executive or own a piece of an NFL franchise.

A league spokesman confirmed Monday that Manning will be among the five current and former players interviewed soon by NFL investigators looking into a bombshell report last December by Al Jazeera America that linked them with PED use.

The NFL also wants to interview Packers linebacker Clay Matthews, Packers defensive end Julius Peppers, Steelers linebacker James Harrison and free-agent linebacker Mike Neal after they were mentioned in the report along with Manning.

The active players will be interviewed on the first day of their respective training camp next month, and Neal’s interview will happen no later than July 22.

Harrison indicated in an Instagram post Sunday night that he doesn’t plan to go along quietly with the league, which he described as a “bully.” Harrison said he will only do the interview at his home, at a date of his choosing and if NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is present.

Manning vehemently denied the story at the time and retired shortly after quarterbacking the Broncos a to a Super Bowl 50 victory over the Panthers in February, but NFL rules extend to retirement, too, if the player ever hopes to have a role in the sport after his playing career.

Manning has told reporters he plans to cooperate with the league’s investigation, claiming he has nothing to hide.

Al Jazeera America, which has since folded, quoted undercover recordings as linking Manning to human growth hormone obtained from an Indianapolis clinic through shipments to his wife.

Manning initially said he most likely would sue the network for defamation, but has not
done so.